Fuse clamp



J. E. CARLSON Feb. 13, 1934.

FUSE CLAMP Filed May 20, 1932 Ig'. E-

L L Jimi y INVENTOR JOHN E2C f Patented Feb. 13, 1934 UNITE-D STATESFUSE CLAMP John E. Carlson, Forestville, Conn., assignor to The TrumbullElectric Manufacturing Corn-V pany, Plainville, Conn., a.

necticut Application May 20', 1932.

Claims.

My invention relates particularly to devices for clamping and holdingthe contact or ferrule ends of cartridge type fuses in operativeposition.

One object is to provide a simple but effective 5 device for positivelylocking or clamping the fuse in place so that it can not be accidentallydetached or displaced.

Another object is to provide a clamping device which will maintaineiective electrical contact underall conditions of use.

Another object is to provide a means for clamping the terminal orcontact ends of fuses in electrical contact with the correlatedreceiving clips or terminals with considerably more mechanical ly thanis possible with the ordinary commercial types of receiving clips orcontacts.

Another object is to provide a fuse clip and clamping device which canbe made and assembled as a unit.

Another object is to provide a construction which will hold a fusesecurely in electrical contact even though the dimensions of the ferruleends of the fuse may vary somewhat from the standard dimensions as setby the National Board of Fire Underwriters.

The invention in its simplest form includes a clamp preferably providedwith a resilient stationary jaw and with a hinged jaw, the latter beingmovable by means of a screw, so as to permit the insertion and removalof the fuse.

Fig. 1 is a iront View of the construction embodying the improvements ofmy invention, the clamps being connected directly to the cylindricalterminals of a fuse.

Fig. 2 is a side view oi the same.

Fig. 3 is an end view of one of the fuseclamps showing the fuse in placeand the base being shown in section on the plane of the line 3--3 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the clamps in the open orextended position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modication adapted to hold theterminal of a fuse having a knife blade type terminal end.

Figs.'6"and 7 are other modiflcations of the clamp.

A base 7 is intended to illustrate diagrammatically an insulatingsupport on which fuses are customarily mounted. 8 are the circuitterminals, and 9 is a fuse, all of conventional form.

In the forms shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the drawing, the clampconsists of a base portion 10 having a jaw l1 integral with it. This jawand base may be mutually reinforced by the pressure and much moreeifectively and secure-- corporation of Con- Serial No. 612,429

The movable jaw 14 has hinge pintles 15 pivoted in lugs 16-which arepreferably integrally connected with the base 10 and the side flanges13. The movable jaw has an angularly disposed foot 17 carrying a screw18 which is adapted to abut against an extension 19 of the base of theclamp to f orce the `movable jaw into clamping engagement with the fuse.The clamp is adapted to be secured to a terminal by means of a screw 20passing through the support 7 and having threaded engagement with ascrew seatl or a threaded nut 2l.

The clamps are arranged in pairs and, to insert a fuse, the movable jaw14 of each clamp is retracted far enough to permit the insertion of oneend of the fuse and the fuse is then clamped in place by tightening upon the screws 18-18 which forces each foot 17 upwardly and each jaw 14inwardly. A very substantial pressure can thus be applied so as topositively clamp and lock the fuse in place with considerable mechanicalpressure.

This avoids the possibility of overheating which often occurs with theusual commercial type of spring clips. There is also no dangerof thefuse being jarred or accidentally displaced or loosened.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a form of clamp in which the jaws 22 and 23 areflat so as to enable them to clamp the blade of that type of fuse whichhas blade-like terminals. This form of construction also has a base 24to which the jaw 23 is lhinged and the hinge jaws are movable by meansof the screw 25 in a manner similar to that shown in the other figures.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modified form of clamp which differs from theform sh-own in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in that the movable member 14 ispivoted to the stationary clamping member at 15' at the opposite side ofthe axial center line oi' the clamp and the screw 18 passes through thelug 17 to engage the flange 19 on the base.

In Fig. 7 I have shown still another modication in which the movableclamping member 14" is pivoted at 15 to a vertically extended arm orsupport 16 of the stationary member and the clamping screw 18" iscarried by the same arm of the stationary member and bears against theouter face of the hinged jaw 14, which con-- struction differs fromFigs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 in which forms the clamping screw is carried by themovable member.

Obviously in the forms of clamps in which a screw is employed for movingor tilting the movable jaw to clamp a fuse, the head of the screw ribsuch as 12y and flanges 13 at opposite sides.

may be oi* any desired form, for instance, it may be a commonround-headed screw with the usual slotthe head may be enlarged landknurled or it may be of wing-like form to permit a powerful nger grip orthe head of the screw may be embedded in a form of insulating material.

li claim:

1. A fuse clamp comprising a base portion having a fuse holding Contactjaw integrally connected therewith, a movable jaw hinged to said baseand a screw coacting with a part of the hlngedjaw for forcibly tiltingand clamping the movable jaw against the terminal of a fuse.

2., A fuse clamp comprising a base portion having a stationary contactjaw and side flanges integral therewith, a movable jaw hinged betweenthe side anges, said movable jaw having an exltended foot and a screw insaid foot for coacting with a portion of the base of the clamp foroperably moving said jaw.

3. A fuse clamp comprising a base portion, a stationary jaw integralwith and projecting from Lalanne the base and having a reinforcing rib,a movable contact jaw hinged to the base and having a :toot extendingsubstantially parallel with the base and means coacting with said footand said base for forcing the contact portion of the movable jaw towardthe stationary jaw.

ai. A fuse clamp comprising a base portion and a stationary contact jawintegral therewith, lugs SGTBW.

JOHN E. CARLSN.

